Private interests of MPs

Members of Parliament are required to declare their private interests.

As of 22 April 2015, Section 76a of Parliament's Rules of Procedure makes it mandatory for MPs to declare their private interests. More detailed instructions regarding declarations of private interests were issued in a Speaker's Council instructions dated 9 March 2015 (enclosed). A form for declaring private interests is handed out to an MP when his or her credentials are examined and the completed form is returned to the Central Office within two months. The Central Office keeps a register of declared private interests which are also published on Parliament's website. An MP's personal page lists the interests he or she has declared as well as the organs to which Parliament has appointed the MP. Significant changes in the personal interests during the electoral term shall be declared within two months from when the change occurred.

An MP shall also provide Parliament with an account of such income received from outside duties and commercial activities which may be of relevance in evaluating his or her performance. Such income shall be declared each calendar year by the end of June of the year following the year when the income was accrued.

Gifts, tickets and third-party funded trips accepted by MPs

In addition to private interests, MPs must declare with certain specifications gifts, tickets and third-party funded trips that exceed a certain limit. The Central Office keeps a register of such declarations. For more information on declaration of gifts, tickets and third-party funded trips, see the enclosed instructions of the Speaker’s Council.

On 9 March 2015, the Speaker’s Council has, under section 6(1)(11a) of Parliament’s Rules of Procedure (40/2000), issued the following detailed instructions on the decla-ration of private interests by Members of Parliament in accordance with section 76a of the Rules of Procedure, and on other corresponding practices related to the position of Members.